He was born July 17, 1929, in McIntosh, Minn., to Helmer Sigfred Peterson and Hannah (Holland) Peterson. He attended the Lindsay Country School where he graduated from the eighth-grade.

He worked on the family farm until he joined the Army. He was a veteran of the Korean War where he earned three Bronze Stars and the UN Service Medal.

He married Catherine Escarcega in May 1961 in Wolf Point. Together, they had three children, Lois, Gary and Lori. He also helped raise his two step-children, Florence and Russell.

He worked for Franz Construction as a heavy equipment operator. When he retired, he became a jack-of-all-trades and worked on farms. Also, to keep busy, he collected cans for extra money, that is how he got the nick name “The Can Man.”

He liked watching the Weather Channel and westerns and reading western books and he liked spending time with his family.

He is survived by his daughters, Lois Eder of Wolf Point, Lori Peterson of Miles City and Florence McKay of Wolf Point; son, Gary Peterson of Wolf Point; seven grandchildren; a brother, Roger Peterson of Wisconsin; and sisters, Phyllis, Ruby and Judy of Minnesota.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Cathy; brothers, Glen and Andrew; sister, Margaret; and step-son, Russell.

A funeral service with military honors was held Monday, Aug. 26, at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Cremation followed the service.